By Mishael Musa
Residents of Yalwan Tsakani community in Bauchi Local Government Area have called on the Bauchi State government to reopen Baban Takko Day Secondary School, their only public secondary school, which was closed over a decade ago following a religious clash.
Community leader Mr. Dauda Dagir raised this concern in an interview with Hama Media, stressing the urgent need for access to affordable education for local children. Since the school’s closure, many families in Yalwan Tsakani have struggled to afford private education, while nearby public schools are too distant for many students.
According to him, the nearby public schools are a bit far from them which led some of their children roaming about smoking and engaging in other criminal activities while increasing out of school figure in the state.
Mr. Dagir however added that although the reason of the crisis that led to the decision is still not yet clear, but they wander why the school is not reopened up to this time to enable their children have an education.
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He said that they had done everything within their capacity including receiving commitment from the present governor, Senator Bala Muhammad Abdulkadir when he visited the area two years ago and said that the school will be revived.
He reminded the government that as legitimate citizens with valid votes to cast during elections they deserve to be considered.
The community leader added that the community has other major problems that are disturbing them which include lack of good road network, absence of a primary health care center and lack of government owned primary schools.
School Closure Following Religious Clash
The Bauchi State Ministry of Education shut down Baban Takko Day Secondary School after a violent incident between Christian and Muslim students. According to retired teacher Malam Sama’ila Mani, who once taught there, the conflict erupted after the school’s mosque was vandalized at night, sparking a protest that escalated into a physical altercation.
Despite the long-standing closure, Mr. Dagir and other community members believe the situation warrants a reassessment. “We don’t understand why, after all these years, the school remains closed, denying our children the education they deserve,” Dagir stated.
Impact on Community Youths
Without the school, many youths have become vulnerable to negative influences, often spending their time on the streets and engaging in criminal activities, according to residents. Parents like Mr. Abubakar Usman worry that without local education opportunities, their children will fall further behind their peers and risk future hardship.
Parents expressed their frustrations, noting that the lack of affordable education has driven many to transfer their children to distant schools, increasing travel expenses and disrupting the children’s education. Mrs. Rahila Ishaya, a mother of two former students, described the challenges: “The closure forced us to move our children to schools farther away, which has negatively affected their learning. The community feels abandoned.”
Also speaking, some alumni of the school, Mayel Jacob Bulus and Isuwa Ishaku, averred that if the government fails to reopen the only government school in the community, the future of youths in the area will be bleak and uncertain as they are considered the leaders of tomorrow.
Unfulfilled Promises and Community Appeals
According to Mr. Dagir, despite the community’s appeals to the government, the school remains closed. He recalled that two years ago, Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Muhammad Abdulkadir promised to restore the school during a visit.
Beyond education, Yalwan Tsakani also faces issues such as poor roads, lack of a primary healthcare center, and limited access to government primary schools. The community considers these needs urgent for their development.
Officials Respond
When contacted, Hajiya Fatima Musa Garba, Director of School Services at the Bauchi State Ministry of Education, stated that the ministry was unaware of Baban Takko’s closure, as it occurred before the current administration. She assured the community that the ministry would investigate the matter.
Education Challenges in Bauchi State
Baban Takko’s closure highlights broader education challenges in Bauchi State. According to UNICEF, Bauchi has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in Nigeria, with more than 1.2 million children—representing 55.7%—lacking access to formal education.
The residents of Yalwan Tsakani now await action from state authorities, hopeful that the reopening of Baban Takko Day Secondary School will mark a turning point for their children’s futures and contribute to reducing the out-of-school population in the region.
